Texas Rig Fishing on Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Sam Rayburn Reservoir · Texas · South Central
Sam Rayburn covers 114,500 acres in the Angelina National Forest. Flooded timber from its 1965 impoundment still holds bass throughout the lake. Hydrilla and coontail have established in recent years, adding a grass component to the fishery.
A bullet sinker slides freely on the line ahead of a wide-gap hook with a weedless-rigged soft plastic. The rig is completely snag-resistant, making it the go-to choice for grass, timber, and heavy cover. Works with virtually any soft plastic — worms, craws, creatures, lizards.
Texas Rig Setup for Sam Rayburn Reservoir
| Rod | 7'–7'3" medium-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1 or faster baitcaster |
| Line | 15–20 lb fluorocarbon or 30–50 lb braid in heavy cover |
| Weight | 3/16–1/2 oz tungsten bullet weight (peg it in heavy cover) |
| Hook | 3/0–5/0 EWG wide gap hook sized to plastic |
Seasonal Tactics on Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Lake: Pre-spawn fish stage on main lake points and secondary creek channel edges. Spawn occurs on sand and gravel flats in March–April.
Texas Rig: Slow drag through spawning flats and around beds. Lizards and creature baits in crawfish colors.
Lake: Night fishing with 10-inch ribbontail worms on main lake points is legendary here. Deep timber holds fish at 18–28 ft during the day.
Texas Rig: Pitch into shade — docks, mats, and laydowns. Pegged weight for matted grass punching.
Lake: Schooling activity on main lake. Follow the shad with topwater and fast crankbaits.
Texas Rig: Cover water quickly on points and along weed lines. Faster retrieve with a reaction element.
Lake: Slow down considerably. Football jigs on main lake timber and ledges.
Texas Rig: Slow drag on deep structure, 15–30 feet. Finesse Texas rig with 1/4 oz and 6" worm.
Best Conditions
Heavy cover — grass, timber, laydowns, docks; murky to stained water; any season; pre-spawn and post-spawn periods
Peg the weight with a rubber toothpick when fishing grass. A sliding weight catches weeds; a pegged weight punches through clean.
More Techniques for Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Ready to fish Sam Rayburn Reservoir?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →